Unsure about your eating habits

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FEEL UNSURE ABOUT YOUR EATING HABITS?

Everyone has different eating habits. But if you’re worried about your relationship with food or their body, it might be worth looking for some support.

If your  eating habits negatively affect their everyday life, they may have an eating disorder. This is when someone uses food to cope with certain situations or feelings. Teenagers between 13 and 17 are most at risk, but anyone can have an eating disorder. It can be helpful to know the signs and what to do if you’re worried.

Your eating habits are likely to change over time. This is normal, and you can help them develop a healthy relationship with food. But they may have an eating disorder if they:

• Make themselves sick.
• Binge eat (often eating lots of food very fast).
• Avoid eating when around others.
• Are secretive about food.
• Worry about their weight or size.
• Exercise in a way that seems excessive.
• Appear underweight for their age and height.

You may also notice some changes in behaviour. You child might be more irritable, have mood swings, or feel guilt or shame. They may show signs of low self-esteem.

Some examples of eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. There are many types of disorder and not everyone will experience the same symptoms. People can have other physical or mental health issues at the same time.

See this video on maintaining a balanced diet – Click here.

WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP?

Despite trying hard to do things yourself, we always need more help sometimes, remember that this is okay, that it is normal, and it is brave to admit as such. See below for some useful links to further support:

• Kooth offers confidential online support for young people aged 11 to 18 at Kooth.com

• Beat a helpline to discuss your issues with food, call 0808 801 0711, head to their website to chat with someone 1:1 online or email them on studentline@beateatingdisorders.org.uk .

• Young minds is a fantastic website full of useful information on a range of issues

• Togetherall is a community of members who talk openly about their worries, helping each other by sharing what is troubling them in a safe and anonymous environment with trained guides